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Category: Pittsburgh

  • Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail by RV

    When looking for the perfect family summer road trip in the United States, Route 66 or Highway 1 might be the first things that come to mind. But what if there was an even better family trip — one not well-known outside the US and not well-traveled even by Americans — but still a route packed with amazing sites, a route that covers some of the most beautiful places in America? And it’s family-friendly, offering lots of experiences you and your children can enjoy together.

    Look no further than following the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail! Its historical significance and thrilling stops are unparalleled.

    Jefferson’s Dream

    In 1803, Thomas Jefferson signed the Louisiana Purchase agreement with France and acquired a huge oval swath of land extending from Montana in the north to the mouth of the Mississippi River in New Orleans in the south. The new territory encompassed parts of the West, Midwest, and South, nearly doubling the size of the United States.

    Boy scouts check out exhibit.

    A Lewis and Clark exhibit at Pompey’s Pillar National Monument in Billings, Montana. Photo: MyPublicLands

    Then Jefferson decided that the new land needed to be explored, and an American presence needed to be established in the territory inhabited by numerous Native American tribes and French settlers and trappers. He was also determined to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean.

    Jefferson selected a young, adventurous, family acquaintance and military veteran, Captain Meriwether Lewis, to lead the expedition. Lewis — like Jefferson —was well-educated and full of insatiable curiosity. He took quick lessons in field medicine, botany, biology, geology, and navigation by the stars. Lewis soon picked William Clark, another former soldier, to be his partner in the expedition.

    Lewis’s trip had its beginnings in Pittsburgh, where he ordered his keelboat made. After overseeing the building of boats, provisioning, gathering munitions and ammunition, buying trade items and gifts for Native American leaders, and selecting their men, they were ready. The group came to be called the Corps of Discovery.

    A diorama showing explorers hauling a boat.

    A model of the Lewis and Clark portages at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Museum in Great Falls, Montana. Photo: Olekinderhook

    Trail of Discovery

    The National Lewis and Clark Historical Trail starts in Pittsburgh, but many consider the departure from St Charles, Missouri, to be the real starting point. It was from there, at a spot called Camp Dubois near St. Louis, that the group began its Westward journey into the unknown on May 14, 1804. They would not see St Louis again until Sept. 23, 1806, after the Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, traversing nearly 5,000 miles.

    During their travels, primarily navigating the Missouri and Columbia rivers, the group interacted with more than 60 native tribes, recorded hundreds of new plant and animal species, and opened the West for exploration and settlement. They did not find the coveted water route to the Pacific. Only one man died during the trip, apparently from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix.

    Grass huts on a green field.

    Replicas of Native American dwellings in the Lewis and Clark Sacajawea Center in Salmon, Idaho. Photo: BLMIdaho

    Follow in Their Footsteps

    One of your best guides for the trip is the National Park Service’s Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail website. This rich resource has a suggested driving route marked with points of historical significance and visitor centers. It also offers a state-by-state guide as to what to see in any given area of the journey. There are also numerous books on things to see and do along the way. Children can journal, collect and press wildflowers, participate in activities at the many interpretive centers, and become Junior Rangers.

    And for places to stay along your route, be sure to visit goodsam.com. Find your perfect campgrounds and think about reserving ahead. Parks can fill up in the summer months, especially. Download the Good Sam app for on-the-road planning and information.

    Close to the Kentucky segment of the trail, Thousand Trails Natchez Trace in Hohenwald, Tennessee, welcomes campers.

    A bronze statue amid hotels.

    A statue of Lewis and Clark in Seaside, Oregon. Photo: Honey Knut

    If you plan to visit the explorers’ west coast adventures, stay at Thousand Trails Seaside in the coastal community of Seaside, Oregon. The resort sits just a short drive from the mouth of the Columbia River, where the intrepid explorers first caught sight of the great Pacific Ocean.

    The post Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail by RV appeared first on RV.com.

  • Play to Win in the RV Tailgating Game

    Huddle up, RV travelers. You’re in an excellent position to make a tailgating play.

    That’s right — you’ve got your kitchen, your fridge, your grill ready for outside setup, chairs in the storage bays or the car or truck, and the “necessary” right inside your door — no waiting in lines for the porta-potty.

    So, where to go? Most fans of a particular team will, of course, head to their own stadium and join other sports fans. That’s a given.

    Barbecuing sausages and chicken.

    Photo: Andrik Langfield

    But other RVers are just looking for the best party, regardless of location — and their homes-on-wheels allow them to try the best of the best from coast to coast. So pack up the beverages, the burgers, brats, steaks, chicken — whatever your favorites are — and hit the road.

    Currently, it’s baseball season, and America’s favorite pastime has its own tailgating scene. Some Major League clubs roll out the red carpet for fans seeking pre-game party fun. The Atlanta Braves are among the organizations that have established designated tailgating areas for fans to join like-minded revelers for food and fun before the first pitch.

    But football is where the real tailgating action unfolds, and it’s never too early to reserve a spot at a campground near your favorite team’s home turf (the first National Football League preseason game kicks off in July). Check out the following all-stars in the tailgating field:

    Mile High Fun

    We’ve tailgated in Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High — Go Broncos! And we have to say these orange-clad fans do tailgate parties proud. We formerly lived up in Breckenridge, Colorado, and just had to drive down the “hill” to join friends at their motorhome in a long-held spot in a parking lot set up for RV tailgating. They’ve even won some tailgating awards for their set-up, complete with turkey fryers, smokers, and multiple grills.

    Stadium tailgate party.

    Pikes Peak Pats Fan Club tailgate party in Broncos territory before Denver plays New England. Photo: Greg & Sheryl

    The folks at Tailgater Magazine — yes, it exists — agree with us, ranking Mile High as Number 4 on their list of top tailgating spots. The magazine mentions that parties there start as early as 8 a.m. on game day.

    Bills, Browns, and Saints Host Topflight Tailgating

    Tailgater Magazine rated Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, NY, as the best tailgating experience in the NFL. Tailgater points out that fans of the NFL’s Bills really know how to throw a fiesta — they party harder and huddle closer to keep warm— what with the area’s infamous icy weather. Fortunately, you’ll find relief in the Buffalo wings, which get top billing here — no big surprise.

    Fans in orange jerseys.

    Cleveland Browns fans during a tailgating celebration. Photo: Erik Drost

    Huntington Bank Field (formerly First Energy Stadium) in Cleveland comes in at second place. Beer can chicken is a fan favorite. Watch a rousing game of Thunderstruck, which evidently involves downing some of the suds that weren’t used in steaming the chicken.

    The party outside the Caesars Superdome (formerly Mercedes Benz Superdome) in New Orleans is the magazine’s third-highest-ranked pre-game tailgate party. Because up to 80,000 fans can fit into the Dome, there are a lot of people to party in the vast plaza outdoors. You may not have to cook your own food, as the plaza is home to clubs, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

    Two women decked out in Saints regalia.

    Saints fans celebrate victory. Photo: USMC

    Pittsburgh Pride and Packer Parties

    We’ve already shouted out Mile High as Number Four, and coming in at Number Five was Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans are high on energy (and maybe beverages?), and Tailgater says it can seem as though the entire city has turned out to support the team. Cookouts start early and end late. Be sure to bring your yellow towel and wave it proudly.

    Man dressed in Steelers regalia.

    A Steelers fan. Photo: Davey Nin

    There’s speculation the word tailgating may even have started at the Number Six placeholder, Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, the legendary home of the Packers. Everyone is welcome to join a tailgate at Lambeau — and you don’t even need to wear a spongy cheese wedge on your head. At the Tundra Tailgate Zone, Green Bay can rival Buffalo for cold weather — fans can even watch the game on huge screens while munching hearty Midwestern food, sipping beer, and listening to music. Brats are high on the menu.

    While visiting mythical Packerland, stay at Thousand Trails Tranquil Timbers on Sturgeon Bay, northeast of Green Bay.

    Bears and Pats Fans Serve Signature Dishes

    Soldier Field in Chicago took the seventh spot in the rankings — the Tailgater Magazine folks are not deterred by cold weather, and neither, it seems, are the fans in these northern cities. The Bears’ home turf is touted as a good option for those looking for a more family-friendly option for tailgating parties.

    Chicago-style hot dog.

    Photo: Kelsey Todd

    Soldier Field is called out as a must if you’re looking for iconic food — including those famous Chicago-style Hot Dogs!

    Number Eight is another chilly one, but at Gillette Stadium in Boston the party goes on even during blizzards. The good news is there are always steaming bowls of Clam Chowder available along with other seafood and warming beverages.

    BBQ in Houston, Cuban Cuisine in Miami

    Number Nine enjoys much warmer weather — especially since Houston’s NRG Stadium has a retractable roof. In Texas, it’s all about the barbecue, and the tailgate party in Houston is no exception. The aromas alone will make you hungry as smokers start blazing early and remain burning even after the final whistle. Tailgater magazine says this is the place to be if you’re a party animal and/or a lover of barbecue.

    Grilled chicken on a barbecue.

    Photo: Denis Agati

    The food is also a star at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium — which rounds out the Top Ten Tailgate spots. And, as in Houston, it’s the food that stands out in the parking lot. But in Miami, it’s Cuban food that shines — Cuban sliders, Grilled chicken with rice and beans, smoked pork loin, plantains, and empanadas are sure to get your mouth watering. Tailgater says the Miami fans are among the friendliest, most welcoming in the NFL — and that tailgating in Miami is less crowded and more relaxed.  It’s also warmer.

    So, pick your vibe, pick your city or stadium, pack up the RV, and head to a Tailgate party — or two or three or the entire Top Ten! It’s a long season, after all.  Let us know your personal favorites!

    The post Play to Win in the RV Tailgating Game appeared first on RV.com.